Chereads / Darkness Unknown / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Keeping Up Appearances

I barely manage to climb up the stairs and go into my room. Not only was I exhausted, possibly having a lasting limp but the damage to my body was way too much.

It wasn't just bruising this time but on top of them I had open wounds and most likely internal bleeding. Even in this very moment I was still bleeding. The blood on my bed and tears would eventually dry by morning so I didn't care.

In that moment my bedroom door swang open and I heard it being locked. Whomever was responsible was now standing next to my bed, looking down at me. I instinctually flinched as I expecting my dad to finish what he started.

"Elliott."

Jay was now crouched to my level with the saddest face I've ever seen and tears fast forming. We were both silent for a few seconds but I broke down in tears and he immediately hugged me, being careful not to cause me any more pain.

After a few minutes of embracing Jay and crying into his neck we broke apart. I had stopped crying at some point and the room was ruled by silence. Jay had found the med kit and extra bandages and was now working on my wounds. He stopped the bleeding and cleaned out the wounds, it hurt but at least I wasn't being mutilated by my dad.

After that he started putting on the bandages, it was a lot. He bandaged my chest, my back and my stomach, both my arms, my right leg, my left thigh and partially on my neck.

After he was done he removed the bloody sheets on my bed, got some blankets and we got in bed.

Every time I would be like this and it was even beyond the repair of my powers, Jay would always be here to help and comfort me.

"Would it be appropriate to make a joke right now?" James asked. I was not in the best mood and I didn't want it to affect him so I nodded. "This position, us hugging, holding eachother in bed with your head on my chest. Do you think we'd make a good couple?" I laughed at his question. It was painful to move but it was worth it. "Probably, but then again I don't have feelings for you and besides you already have Chase." I said.

"And I think you're full of shit."

We both laughed. "So, why aren't your powers working on damage control?" He asked, well more of whispered into my ear. "My most logical conclusion is that it depends on the energy I can muster up and right now I've got nothing. On top of that I'm used to hiding my powers not actually using them." I said burying my face in his chest. "I'm glad you told me about your powers but I wish you told me sooner and about the situation with your dad."

"I know..."

I drifted off to sleep and woke up to clothes being thrown at my face. I snapped my eyes open with a groan. "Hurry up and get ready, we have to get going before anyone sees me here and school going to start soon. I have your cupcakes in the car." James said already prepared for school.

I silently got out of bed and went into my bathroom to take a quick shower and got dressed. I wore black sweats and a hoodie to hide the damage done to my body and the bandaging. Luckily my face had healed and I was presentable.

Once I was done we snuck out of the house and drove to school. I ate my cupcakes and had some of Jay's coffee. Eventually we got to school in time for the first bell, the one that would follow would mean the start of classes.

"We don't have that many classes together today so try to hold up, don't do anything stupid and be careful," Jay reminded me as we got out of the car and went to our respective classes.

Everything was going by pretty normally and I didn't do anything to draw attention to myself. I was starting to regret not taking any painkillers but after years of this happening to me I've developed the habit of liking the pain. I crave it, fantasize about it, think about doing these things to myself before my dad can get a chance to do it himself.

I sound insane and honestly maybe I am, but can anyone you me?

Soon enough I found myself in the cafeteria, a plate of food on the table in front of me and I pushed it to the side and layed my head down. I didn't know what I was feeling or what I should be feeling in that moment.

"Room for four more?"

I looked up to see Jay taking a seat across from me along with Val, Violet and Chase.

"You look like hot garbage," said Val with a smug smirk. "You should look in a mirror before you make those kinds of comments," I said. He glared at me for a second and then laughed. "I see you're still cold as ever. You sick or something?" He asked. "Something like that," I said sitting up. "That sucks, and on a Friday night no less."

"Hey, so there's going to be huge party tonight around midnight. Heather's throwing it, everyone who's anyone is coming. Rumour has it she's throwing it at midnight because tomorrow is the anniversary of when she met her boyfriend but it's also anniversary of when she broke up with Steve, so she's doing it to piss him off. It's going to be the party of the century, you guys have to come." Violet said.

Heather Smith is by far the most popular girl in school. Supposedly every girl wants to be her and every guy wants to be with her. That being said she's a total bitch in every way. She is probably the worst person you could ever meet and I wouldn't be surprised if her body count reached the hundreds.

But what sparked her popularity were her parties. Known all around for the chaos, drugs, alcohol, hookups and overall fun. People from our school, other schools and some people who already graduated show up.

"I don't know, her parties have a reputation for disaster. It just doesn't seem like the best idea," Jay said. He had a point but I needed the distraction and a reason to be away from home.

"I'll go."

All eyes were now on me. They were surprised considering I'm usually very antisocial. "That's what I'm talking about!" Val said happily. Jay looked at me with an unreadable expression and sighed.

"I guess I'm going too."